I wanted to observe Women’s History Month with a list of women naturalists. While there are long lists of white women and their contributions, I was surprised at how much effort it took to find non-white women and their contributions. But: there’s no shortage of exciting reading about the contributions of women of color naturalists and environmentalists if you’ll take the time to look, and so, for Black History Month, I present to you this brief list of women of color naturalists.
I am not re-writing history but presenting a side of which I was not aware. My lack of awareness made me aware that it’s time to learn more and share what I learn, so join me! And if you know about a naturalist who should be included here, let me know! I’d like to build a more comprehensive list.
MaVynee Oshun Betsch: 1935-2005
MaVynee Betsch was known as “The Beach Lady.” She was relentless in her efforts to conserve Florida’s coastal environment. Her long dreadlocks and colorful clothes made her hard to miss. After she graduated from college, she sang opera in Europe. Her great-grandfather founded American Beach. In 1975, this beach was threatened by development. Betsch led efforts to protect American Beach. She devoted the rest of her life to environmentalist causes. Shortly after her death, the Dalai Lama honored her as an Unsung Hero of Compassion. Here’s a terrific place to learn more about her.
American Beach is a fascinating story in itself! Click here to start this learning adventure.
Majora Carter: 1966 –
“No community should be saddled with more environmental burdens and less environmental benefits than any other.”
Majora Carter grew up in the South Bronx and intended to get out as soon as she could. While working toward her MFA degree, she returned to the Bronx, and developed a sense of pride in her home. She began her environmental work with a project to point out the lack of trees in a neighborhood. As that work was proceeding, she organized to protest a plan to expand a waste treatment facility.
In 2001, she founded Sustainable South Bronx to work for environmental justice. In 2003, Sustainable South Bronx began the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training program. This program provides job training and placement in urban forestry, horticulture, landscaping, and green roof installations.
While in later years critics have questioned her legacy, there can be no question that she improved conditions in her community. You can learn more about her here and here.
Janaki Ammal: 1897- 1984
Ammal was an Indian botanist who studied plant chromosomes and botanical geography. Her career began in India, where she graduated with honors in Botany. She then traveled to Michigan and was possibly the first woman to achieve a PhD in botany in the United States. She worked in the UK and began a lifelong collaboration with C.D.Darlington, with whom she wrote and published “Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants.”
In her native India, she was responsible for a survey of trees in Silent Valley, recording the chromosomal makeup of trees there. This work intended to preserve botanical records in case a planned hydroelectric project should flood the valley. Her work was so successful that the project did not proceed.